Rotatable press die

ABSTRACT

A top die on a forging press is rotatable about a vertical axis to facilitate die replacement and to position the die for use as a straightening tool.

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [54] ROTATABLE PRESS DIE 2,996,025 8/1961 Georgefl............,.,................ 3,416,439 12/1968 Tezuka.......... 3,526,122

[75] Inventor: Elwood Allen Martin, Salem, Ohio 9/1970 Hemingway............................72/462 [73] Assignee: Gulf & Western Industrial Products Company, Grand Rapids Mich. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS Sept. 8, 1971 645,092 7/1962 Canada...............,.............. ...72/462 [22] Filed:

[21 1 App! 178,592 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby 52 U.S.Cl..................72/447,72/462,100/DIG. 18 All0meyJameSH-Tilberry eta!- 51 1m.13/02 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search.........72/446, 447, 462, 481, 453

A top die on a forging press is rotatable about a verti- [56] References cued cal axis to facilitate die replacement and to position the die for use as a straightening tool.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,774,245 8/1930 Strout.,.,............................,....72/446 17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmzmra 3,722,255

INVENTOR. E. ALLEN MA/RTIN BY 44 7M a Bad;

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAREYIUYS SHEET 20F 4 INVENTOR. 64 E. ALLEN MARTIN BY Mm, 746% 8 Bod ATTORNEYS PATENTEUHARZYIBB 3.722255 SHEET 30F 4 v A H mvENToR E. ALLEN MARTIN BY Me 744%, g M,

ATTORNEYS ROTATABLE PRESS DIE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application pertains to the art of presses and more particularly to manipulation of dies on presses. The invention is particularly applicable to manipulation of the top die on the forging press and will be particularly described with reference thereto, although it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used for manipulating a die or tool in other presses or machinery.

A workpiece is commonly held by a manipulator while being acted upon by a forging press. The workpiece commonly takes on a curvature and requires straightening. Use of a forging press as a straightening tool has required difficult and time consuming movement of the manipulator to locate the workpiece in proper position for straightening. In other arrangements, it was not possible to reposition the manipulator or the workpiece for using the forging press as a straightening tool due to space limitations.

Previous dies on forging presses have been held in place by wedges or hydraulic cylinders in such a manner that changing of dies was very difficult and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A forging press has a top die mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis in order to facilitate replacement of the top die and to position the top die for use as a straightening tool. More specifically, a top die in a forging press is releasably clamped to the forging press top separator by releasable clamping members. The clamping members are releasable so that power rotating means can be selectively actuated to rotate the die between first and second rotated positions. Certain of the clamping members hold the die to the top separator in one rotated position thereof, and others of the clamping members hold the die to the top separator in the second rotated position thereof.

In a preferred arrangement, at least one of the releasable clamping members is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis so that it can be raised to an upper position where it will not interfere with sliding movement of a die onto and off from a bolster. The one rotatable clamping member is selectively rotated by power means defined by a hydraulic cylinder.

In a preferred arrangement, the die is held to the forging press top separator by a bolster. The bolster is adjustably movable between a first position tightly engaging the top separator and a second position spaced from the top separator. Power adjustment means is provided for moving the bolster between the two positions. In one arrangement, the power adjustment means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected with the bolster. The shaft is movable along its longitudinal axis by operation of the power adjustment means. The power rotating means is operative to rotate the shaft and the bolster when the bolster is spaced from the top separator.

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting arrangement for mounting a die in a press.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for clamping a die in a press to facilitate changing thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for rotating a top die in a forging press so that it can be used as a straightening tool.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an improved adjusting and clamping arrangement for a top die in a forging press.

It is another object of the present invention to provide added safety to the forging press in that once the die is engaged into the dovetail on the bolster, it is prevented from working loose and falling vertically during operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a forging press having the improvements of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view looking in the I direction of arrows 6--6 of FIG. 4;

showing the different positions of a top die in a forging press; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view looking in the direction of arrows 99 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a forging press A having a frame which includes a bed 2. Pull down rods 3 reciprocatingly extend through bed 2 and are connected at their lower ends with a crosshead 4. A top separator B is mounted on the upper ends of rods 3. A hydraulic ram 5 is mounted in bed 2 and has its rod 6 connected with crosshead 4. A plurality of hydraulic push-back cylinders 7 are mounted on the frame of press A and have their rods 8 connected with top separator B. Supply of hydraulic fluid to ram 5 results in a downward force acting on crosshead 4 to pull top separator B toward bed 2. Hydraulic fluid is supplied topush-back cylinders 7 for rapid return of top separator B to its maximum daylight position. Cylinders 7 may be double-acting for use in rapid movement of top separator B toward and away from bed 2, while ram 5 is energized only for maximum forging force.

Bed portion 2 of press A has a bottom die 18 mounted thereon in a known manner for cooperation with a top die 20 connected to top separator B. A workpiece 22 is held between dies 18 and 20 by a manipulator C which can be manipulated to move workpiece 22 rotatably, laterally, vertically and axially. During reciprocating movement of top separator B, dies 18 and 20 cooperate to forge workpiece 22 into a desired shape. During such a forging operation, workpiece 22 often takes on an undesirable curved configuration as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. When this occurs, it is necessary to straighten the workpiece. FIG. 1 is the view of the forging press as seen by the operator of the press when he is in his normal operating position.

In accordance with one arrangement, top separator B includes a plate 26 having a bushing 28 rotatably mounted therein as by hearing 30. Bushing 28 has a splined hole 32 therethrough receiving a splined end 34 of shaft 36. Shaft 36 is non-rotatably connected with press bolster 38 as by a pin 42 extending through suitable holes in shaft 36 and bolster 38, while the terminal end of shaft 36 is located in a bore 44 in bolster 38. Bolster 38 has a central keyway 46 for receiving a key 48 on a die holder 50 which in turn has a keyway 52 for receiving key 54 on die 20.

As best shown in FIG. 3, splined upper end 58 of shaft 36 extends through a bushing 60 having a spline hole 62 therethrough. Bushing 60 is rotatably mounted as by bearing 64 in plate 66. Shaft 36 has a threaded nut 68 fixedly attached thereto for threadedly receiving a rotatable threaded shaft 70 drivingly connected through a right angle gear box 72 with hydraulic motor 74. A bracket 78 is fixedly attached to shaft 36, and rod 82 of hydraulic cylinder 84 is pivotally connected to bracket 76 as by pin 86. Hydraulic cylinder 84 lies along a substantially horizontal axis and is pivotally mounted about a vertical pin 92 to mounting bracket 94. Hydraulic motor 74 and gear box 72 are suitably mounted on a mounting frame D suitably bolted to plate 66 which is an integral part of top separator B.

Hydraulic cylinder 84 is normally retracted and holds bracket 78 in the full line position shown in FIG. 6. With shaft 36 so held against rotation, energization of hydraulic motor 74 will rotate threaded shaft 70 to move shaft 36 longitudinally of its own longitudinal axis for moving bolster 38 toward and away from plate 26 of top separator B. Selective energization of reversable hydraulic motor 74 will selectively position bolster 38 in a first position wherein it tightly engages plate 26 of top separator B as shown in FIG. 4, or to a second position spaced downwardly from plate 26 of top separator B. When bolster 38 is spaced downward from plate 26 of top separator B, hydraulic cylinder 84 may be energized to move bracket 78 to the shadow line position shown in FIG. 6 for rotating shaft 36 about its own longitudinal axis over an arc of 90. Hydraulic cylinders 84 may remain extended to hold shaft 36 in this rotated position as long as desired. Double acting hydraulic cylinder 84 may then be energized to move bracket 78 back to its solid line position shown in FIG. 6 at any time desired.

In accordance with one arrangement, a plurality of longitudinally of their own longitudinal axes. Each screw jack includes a reversable hydraulic motor 106 driving a worm gear 108 which drivingly engages a worm wheel rotatably mounted within bearing housing 110 and threaded onto screw 10. Each of clamping members 96-99 is guided for vertical up and down movement in bushings 112.

In one arrangement, clamping members 96, 97 and 99 are held against rotation during vertical up and down movement thereof. One such holding device is shown for clamping member 96 in FIG. 9. A bracket 116 is welded or otherwise secured to the upper end of clamping member 96. Another bifurcated bracket 1 18 is secured to bracket 116 as by bolts 120. Bifurcated bracket 118 has a notch 122 therein receiving a projection 124 which is attached to upper plate 66 by angle brackets 126, bolts 128 and backing member 130. Projection 124 is elongated in a vertical direction as shown in FIG. 4 so that bifurcated bracket 118 slides up and down thereof during vertical adjustment of clamping member 96. Each of clamping members 96, 97 and 99 is held against rotation in the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 9. Energization of hydraulic motors 106 will rotate worm gears 108 to rotate the worm wheels positioned within bearing housings 110 for selectively moving screws 104 vertically up or down.

In a preferred arrangement, clamping member 98 is mounted for rotation about its own longitudinal axis over an arc of 90. Clamping member 98 is on the back side of the press opposite the operators position. Clamping member 98 has a bracket 134 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. A bifurcated bracket 136 is secured to bracket 134 as by bolts 138. Bifurcated bracket 136 has an elongated notch 140 therein receiving an elongated pin 142 which is welded to lever arms 144. An opening 146 is formed in plate 66 so that rod 142 may extend therethrough. Lever arms 144 are pivotally connected to plate 66 as by bolt 50 extending through bushing 152 in plate 66.

One of lever arms 144 has an ear 154 thereon and rod end 156 of hydraulic cylinder 158 is pivotally connected to car 154 as by pin 160. Double acting hydraulic cylinder 158 is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis by pin 162 attached to mounting bracket 164 which is bolted to plate 66. Energization of hydraulic cylinder 158 will selectively move lever arms 144 and bracket 136 between the solid and shadow line positions shown in FIG. 7. This operation of hydraulic cylinder 158 will rotate lateral projection 102 of clamping member 98 ninety degrees between the solid line and shadow line positions shown in FIG. 8.

In operation of the device, all of hydraulic motors 106 are energized to move clamping members 96-99 downward to the lowermost position. Die 20 and die holder 50 are then connected to bolster 38 only by means of keyway 46 and key 48. Hydraulic cylinder 158 is then energized to rotate clamping member 98 ninety degrees so that lateral projection 102 no longer extends beneath die holder 50. Hydraulic motor 106 for clamping member 98 is then energized to raise clamping member 98 upward to its uppermost position with lateral projection 102 bearing against plate 26 of top separator B. A die may then be removed from bolster 38 or inserted thereon simply by sliding die holder. 50 to the left as shown in FIG. 4 so that key 48 separates from keyway 46. With a die 50in position on bolster 48 as shown in FIG. 4, hydraulic motor 106 for clamping member 98 is energized to move clamping member 98 downward to its lowermost position. Hydraulic cylinder 158 is then operated to rotate clamping member 98 90 so that lateral projection 102 thereof extends beneath die holder 50. All of hydraulic motors 106 are then energized to raise clampingmembers 96-99. Clamping members 97 and 99 simply move upward and bear against plate 26 of top separator B as shown in FIG. 5. Clamping members 96 and 98 bear against die holder 50 to tightly clamp die holder 50 and die 56 against bolster 38. This is the normal operating condition for forging press A.

As shown in the drawing, die is normally elongated in a direction from front to back of press A. That is, die 20 is elongated in a direction extending from clamping member 96 toward clamping member 98 and has a length in that direction which is substantially greater than the width thereof as measured in a direction from clamping member 97 toward clamping member 99. In the event a workpiece 22 becomes warped or curved, it is possible to rotate die 20 so that its long dimension extends in a direction from clamping member 97 toward clamping member 99 so that die 20 may be used as a straightening tool. To accomplish this, all of hydraulic motors 106 are energized to lower clamping members 96-99 to their lowermost position. Die holder 50 is then connected to bolster 38 only by key 48 and keyway 46. Hydraulic motor 74 is then energized to rotate screw 70 for moving shaft 36 vertically downward so that bolster 38 will be spaced downward from plate 26 of top separator B. Hydraulic cylinder 84 is then energized to rotate shaft 36 90 so that die 20 moves to the shadow line position shown in FIG. 8. Hydraulic cylinder 84 holds shaft 36 against rotation, and hydraulic motor 74 is again energized in a reverse direction to raise shaft 36 for moving bolster 38 tightly against plate 26 of top separator B. All of hydraulic motors 106 are again energized in a reverse direction to raise clamping members 9699. In the rotated position of die 20, lateral projections 102 of clamping members 97 and 99 bear against die holder 50 to tightly clamp die holder 50 against bolster 38. In the rotated position, clamping members 96 and 98 are simply raised to their verticalmost position so that their lateral projections 102 bear against plate 26 of top separator B. The described operation is simply reversed to move die 20 back to its solid line position shown in FIG. 8.

It will be recognized that the screw jacks for moving clamping members 96-99 define power adjustment means for selectively moving the clamping members. In addition, hydraulic cylinder 158 defines a power clamp rotating means for rotating clamp 98 ninety degrees for easy insertion and removal of dies. Hydraulic cylinder 84 also defines a power rotating means for rotating bolster 38 and die 20 selectively between two rotated positions over an arc of90.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a press including a reciprocating top separator having a longitudinal axis, die means mounted on said top separator for acting on a workpiece during reciprocation of said top separator and releasable clamping means for releasably clamping said die means to said top separator, the improvement comprising; power rotating means on said press for rotating said die means relative to said top separator about said longitudinal axis.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said releasable clamping means includes first and second pairs of clamping members, said first pair of clamping members clamping said die means to said top separator in a first rotated position of said die means relative to said top separator, and said second pair of clamping members clamping said die means to said top separator in a second rotated position of said die means relative to said top separator.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said clamping members has a longitudinal clamp axis and at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal clamp axis thereof.

4. The device of claim 3 and further including power means for selectively rotating said one clamping member about said longitudinal clamp axis thereof.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said longitudinal clamp axes extend substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power means for selectively moving said clamping members along said longitudinal axes thereof.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of individual clamping members each of said clamping members having a longitudinal clamp axis extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power means for selectively moving each of said clamping members along said longitudinal axis thereof.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal axis thereof, and power means for selectively rotating said one clamping member.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said releasable clamping means includes bolster means adjustably connected to said top separator for adjustable movement between a first position held tightly against said top separator and a second position spaced from said top separator, power adjustment means for adjusting said bolster means between said first and second positions, said die means being releasably carried by said bolster means, and said power rotating means being selectively operable to rotate said bolster means substantially ninety degrees in said second position thereof.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said power adjustment means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected with said bolster means, said shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and being movable therealong, said power adjustment means selectively moving said shaft along said shaft axis during operation thereof, releasable holding means for holding said shaft against rotation during operation of said power adjustment means, said power rotating means being connected with said shaft to rotate said shaft and bolster during operation thereof, said holding means being releasable during operation of said power rotating means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said releasable clamping means includes a plurality of clamping members for clamping said die means to said bolster means, certain ones of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a first rotated position of said bolster means and certain others of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a second rotated position of said bolster means.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein said releasable clamping means includes a plurality of clamping members for clamping said die means'to said bolster means, certain ones of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a first rotated position of said bolster means and certain others of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a second rotated position of said bolster means.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of clamping members have longitudinal clamp axes extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power clamp moving means for selectively moving said clamping members along said longitudinal axes thereof.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal axis thereof, and power clamp rotating means for selectively rotating said one clamping member.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said power clamp rotating means includes bracket means fixedly attached to said one clamp member and hydraulic cylinder means connected with said bracket for swinging said bracket to rotate said one clamping member.

15. The device of claim 8 wherein said power adjustment means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected with said bolster means, said shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and being movable therealong, said power adjustment means selectively moving said shaft along said shaft axis during operation thereof, a bracket fixedly attached to said shaft, and hydraulic cylinder means connected with said bracket for holding said shaft against rotation during operation of said power adjustment means and for rotating said shaft when energized.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said die means is movable between a first position held tightly against said top separator and a second position spaced from said top separator, power adjustment means for selectively moving said die means between said first and second positions, said power rotating means being operative in said second position of said die means to selectively rotate said die means substantially ninety degrees.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said power rotating means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected to said die means, and a hydraulic cylinder connected with said shaft for selectively rotating said shaft when energized. 

1. In a press including a reciprocating top separator having a longitudinal axis, die means mounted on said top separator for acting on a workpiece during reciprocation of said top separator and releasable clamping means for releasably clamping said die means to said top separator, the improvement comprising; power rotating means on said press for rotating said die means relative to said top separator about said longitudinal axis.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said releasable clamping means includes first and second pairs of clamping members, said first pair of clamping members clamping said die means to said top separator in a first rotated position of said die means relative to said top separator, and said second pair of clamping members clamping said die means to said top separator in a second rotated position of said die means relative to said top separator.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said clamping members has a longitudinal clamp axis and at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal clamp axis thereof.
 4. The device of claim 3 and further including power means for selectively rotating said one clamping member about said longitudinal clamp axis thereof.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said longitudinal clamp axes extend substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power means for selectively moving said clamping members along said longitudinal axes thereof.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of individual clamping members each of said clamping members having a longitudinal clamp axis extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power means for selectively moving each of said clamping members along said longitudinal axis thereof.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal axis thereof, and power means for selectively rotating said one clamping member.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said releasable clamping means includes bolster means adjustably connected to said top separator for adjustable movement between a first position held tightly against said top separator and a second position spaced from said top separator, power adjustment means for adjusting said bolster means between said first and second positions, said die means being releasably carried by said bolster means, and said power rotating means being selectively operable to rotate said bolster means substantially ninety degrees in said second position thereof.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said power adjustment means includes a rotatable shafT non-rotatably connected with said bolster means, said shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and being movable therealong, said power adjustment means selectively moving said shaft along said shaft axis during operation thereof, releasable holding means for holding said shaft against rotation during operation of said power adjustment means, said power rotating means being connected with said shaft to rotate said shaft and bolster during operation thereof, said holding means being releasable during operation of said power rotating means.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said releasable clamping means includes a plurality of clamping members for clamping said die means to said bolster means, certain ones of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a first rotated position of said bolster means and certain others of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a second rotated position of said bolster means.
 11. The device of claim 8 wherein said releasable clamping means includes a plurality of clamping members for clamping said die means to said bolster means, certain ones of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a first rotated position of said bolster means and certain others of said clamping members clamping said die means to said bolster means in a second rotated position of said bolster means.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of clamping members have longitudinal clamp axes extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said top separator, and power clamp moving means for selectively moving said clamping members along said longitudinal axes thereof.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein at least one of said clamping members is rotatable about said longitudinal axis thereof, and power clamp rotating means for selectively rotating said one clamping member.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said power clamp rotating means includes bracket means fixedly attached to said one clamp member and hydraulic cylinder means connected with said bracket for swinging said bracket to rotate said one clamping member.
 15. The device of claim 8 wherein said power adjustment means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected with said bolster means, said shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and being movable therealong, said power adjustment means selectively moving said shaft along said shaft axis during operation thereof, a bracket fixedly attached to said shaft, and hydraulic cylinder means connected with said bracket for holding said shaft against rotation during operation of said power adjustment means and for rotating said shaft when energized.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein said die means is movable between a first position held tightly against said top separator and a second position spaced from said top separator, power adjustment means for selectively moving said die means between said first and second positions, said power rotating means being operative in said second position of said die means to selectively rotate said die means substantially ninety degrees.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said power rotating means includes a rotatable shaft non-rotatably connected to said die means, and a hydraulic cylinder connected with said shaft for selectively rotating said shaft when energized. 